HDR-FOX-T2 volume control on HD channels

[Andy Burns]

My parents have just bought a HDR-FOX-T2 for connection to their
existing TV (I think it's an LG 32LD3xx) I've advised Dad to only use
the HDMI lead between the STB and TV, with aerial into STB, but not
looped through to the TV. Currently no phono cables for audio between
STB and TV.

The TV auto-switches to HDMI input, intention being to keep it simple so
they only need to use the Humax's remote for everything. No AV amp involved.

Just had a call to say that the Humax's remote is controlling the volume
on SD channels but not on HD channels, the TV's own remote does control
volume on all channels, which sounds odd to me. Anyone familiar with the
Humax shed any light on it?

Perhaps somehow the Humax can't change volume on AC3 streams but it can
on MP2 streams?

Is there a way to force the Humax to output stereo on the phone plugs?
If so, I need to see if the TV can be force to take its audio on the
phono inputs and ignore the embedded HDMI audio, but the manual suggests
only a mono input when not using the HDMI audio.

... I feel a visit coming on ...

[Bill Wright]

Post by Andy Burns
Just had a call to say that the Humax's remote is controlling the volume
on SD channels but not on HD channels, the TV's own remote does control
volume on all channels, which sounds odd to me. Anyone familiar with the
Humax shed any light on it?

This was a problem about a year or 18 months ago. I assumed it had been
fixed by a download. Could be wrong, but I haven't seen the fault for ages.

Bill

[Andy Burns]

Post by Bill Wright

Post by Andy Burns
the Humax's remote is controlling the volume
on SD channels but not on HD channels

This was a problem about a year or 18 months ago. I assumed it had been
fixed by a download. Could be wrong, but I haven't seen the fault for ages.

Thanks Bill, this one isn't plugged into the Internet, so it won't have
had a chance to upgrade itself, but I found how to force the digital
audio to PCM mode even for DD/DD+ programmes.

[Yellow]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Bill Wright

Post by Andy Burns
the Humax's remote is controlling the volume
on SD channels but not on HD channels

This was a problem about a year or 18 months ago. I assumed it had been
fixed by a download. Could be wrong, but I haven't seen the fault for ages.

Thanks Bill, this one isn't plugged into the Internet, so it won't have
had a chance to upgrade itself, but I found how to force the digital
audio to PCM mode even for DD/DD+ programmes.

It won't update itself by being connected to the internet.

You either need to catch an over the air update or get the latest file
from the Humax site and install it yourself via a USB memory stick.

[Andy Burns]

Post by Yellow

Post by Andy Burns
this one isn't plugged into the Internet, so it won't have
had a chance to upgrade itself

It won't update itself by being connected to the internet.

Oh, OK thanks.

Post by Yellow
You either need to catch an over the air update or get the latest file
from the Humax site and install it yourself via a USB memory stick.

I suspect that can wait until I happen to visit ...

[Bill Wright]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Yellow

Post by Andy Burns
this one isn't plugged into the Internet, so it won't have
had a chance to upgrade itself

It won't update itself by being connected to the internet.

Oh, OK thanks.

Post by Yellow
You either need to catch an over the air update or get the latest file
from the Humax site and install it yourself via a USB memory stick.

I suspect that can wait until I happen to visit ...

Well it should be automatic unless you've turned the auto update off.
Make sure they leave it plugged into the mains all the time.

Bill

[Andy Burns]

Post by Bill Wright

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Yellow
You either need to catch an over the air update or get the latest file
from the Humax site and install it yourself via a USB memory stick.

I suspect that can wait until I happen to visit ...

Well it should be automatic unless you've turned the auto update off.
Make sure they leave it plugged into the mains all the time.

The OTA update won't have been turned off, but I've not checked the DTG
page to see whether/when an update might be broadcast, they've only had
it for a day.

[Ian]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Bill Wright

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Yellow
You either need to catch an over the air update or get the latest file
from the Humax site and install it yourself via a USB memory stick.

I suspect that can wait until I happen to visit ...

Well it should be automatic unless you've turned the auto update off.
Make sure they leave it plugged into the mains all the time.

The OTA update won't have been turned off, but I've not checked the DTG
page to see whether/when an update might be broadcast, they've only had
it for a day.

It's not being broadcast at the moment.

[Andy Burns]

Post by Andy Burns
Perhaps somehow the Humax can't change volume on AC3 streams but it can
on MP2 streams?

Disaster averted ...

Menu/setting/preferences/audio/digital-audio-out

set this to stereo instead of multi-channel and it seems to have done
the trick!

[Bob Latham]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Andy Burns
Perhaps somehow the Humax can't change volume on AC3 streams but it can
on MP2 streams?

Disaster averted ...
Menu/setting/preferences/audio/digital-audio-out
set this to stereo instead of multi-channel and it seems to have done
the trick!

IMHO, the basic problem with this machine lies with the remote control.

Sky have for decades used the sensible idea of 1 volume control in the TV
itself and their remote controls work with the TV. This is far better
because when you switch to another source like Bluray or even the TV's own
tuner there isn't an instant mismatch in volume level. It is also better
because there is no point in having two independent volume controls, it
increases costs and probably distortion.

The Humax remote can control the TV volume but you need to keep switching
backwards and forwards between the TV and the PVR which is a pain.

I have both a Humax Fox T2 and a Sky HD box and to be honest the way the
volume works on the Sky box is way better, makes the Humax annoying to use
as the best way to adjust volume is with the TV's remote. Really poor in
my opinion.

Bob.

[Andy Burns]

Post by Bob Latham
The Humax remote can control the TV volume but you need to keep switching
backwards and forwards between the TV and the PVR which is a pain.

Yes, I've seen the TV/DVD/PVR mode switching on a FOX-SAT box and
wouldn't attempt to talk parents through using it. Now the FOX-T2 is
controlling the volume OK, they can just leave the TV's volume alone,
they do have a DVD player, but I think it mainly gathers dust now that
my nephews are older.

[Bill Wright]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Bob Latham
The Humax remote can control the TV volume but you need to keep switching
backwards and forwards between the TV and the PVR which is a pain.

Yes, I've seen the TV/DVD/PVR mode switching on a FOX-SAT box and
wouldn't attempt to talk parents through using it.

It just causes problems. They press one of the TV etc buttons and then
of course they can't control the PVR.

Bill

[Maurice Batey]

Post by Andy Burns
Just had a call to say that the Humax's remote is controlling the volume
on SD channels but not on HD channels, the TV's own remote does control
volume on all channels, which sounds odd to me.

Have same problem. Found no soluton. (Complained to Humax.)

Either use TV sound control, or set the Humax's to 'TV', and then you
can use its remote control to handle volume.
(Problem with latter is that it's too easy to forget which mode the
remote is in, so I stick to TV's remote conbtrol for volume.)

It's a damned nuisance.

[PeterC]

Post by Maurice Batey

Post by Andy Burns
Just had a call to say that the Humax's remote is controlling the volume
on SD channels but not on HD channels, the TV's own remote does control
volume on all channels, which sounds odd to me.

Have same problem. Found no soluton. (Complained to Humax.)
Either use TV sound control, or set the Humax's to 'TV', and then you
can use its remote control to handle volume.
(Problem with latter is that it's too easy to forget which mode the
remote is in, so I stick to TV's remote conbtrol for volume.)
It's a damned nuisance.

Added to which:
HD TTV needs volume at 30 - 50
SD TTV needs volume at 20 - 25
STV BBC etc. needs volume at 15 - 20
STV films etc. need volume at 25 - 30

changing from TTV HD to STV can be a shock!